Meanwhile, inside a lavish estate.
Duke Belard's Mansion.
The sharp sound of a goblet slamming onto the armrest echoed loudly through the room.
"WHAT?! You still haven't found the black-haired human!?"
Duke Belard's voice boomed across the chamber, his eyes narrowing with anger. His fingers tapped roughly on the side of his chair.
Sitting across from him was Friskle. Calm and composed, the fox beastkin stood still, arms loosely behind his back.
"Apologies, my lord," he said evenly. "But as you know, we can't send our assassin or intelligence teams anywhere near the capital."
Belard growled softly, his claws tapping the wood surface impatiently.
"And why is that again?"
Friskle's eyes remained steady.
"Because the Royal Elite Assassin Unit was deployed during that time," he explained calmly. "They were guarding the princess closely. Any unauthorized movement near the capital would risk being detected… or worse."
Belard's breath hissed between his clenched teeth.
